Thursday, July 30, 2015

With Africa at risk of a large meningitis outbreak, an acute shortage of meningitis C-containing vaccine threatens to severely limit the world’s ability to minimize the number of people affected, 4 international public health organizations warned today.

International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), Médecins sans Frontières (MSF), The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), and the WHO (the 4 organizations, which together constitute the International Coordinating Group for Vaccine Provision for Epidemic Meningitis Control - ICG) are therefore calling today on vaccine manufacturers to step up meningitis C-containing vaccine production by 5 million doses before the 2016 meningitis season starts in January.
“Meningitis tends to hit Africa in cycles. Cases of meningitis C have been rising since 2013, first in Nigeria in 2013 and 2014, and then in Niger in 2015. We have to be ready for a much larger number of cases during the 2016 meningitis season,” said Dr William Perea, Coordinator for Control of Epidemic Diseases Unit at WHO.
“In just the first 6 months of 2015, there have been 12,000 cases of meningitis C in Niger and Nigeria, and 800 deaths. At the same time, there has been a critical shortage of vaccine,” said Dr Myriam Henkens, International Medical Coordinator, MSF.

“The campaigns consequently were limited to the critically affected age groups and areas, and even so, had to be delayed until vaccine supply became available and we believe next year will be worse. We need vaccine manufacturers to plan production of multivalent vaccine now to allow sufficient lead time and capacity to meet this demand.”

Tuesday, July 28, 2015

The World Health Organization has updated the status of yellow fever vaccination requirements for countries and the following statements were added.

For over 30 countries to date, we read:

The certificate is valid for life: So these countries recognize the protection for life following one dose of yellow fever vaccine.

Other countries have the following:

The certificate is valid for 10 years: So these countries require a booster within the last 10 years to enter.

Another country with the following statement: Honduras

The certificate is valid for life if vaccination took place 10 days before departure.

Please also noted that some countries have withdrawn their entry requirement for the international certificate.

EX: Lebanon and Mexico whose certificates are now not required regardless of the origin of the traveler.

The WHO World Health Assembly in May 2014 adopted an amendment to Annex 7 of the International Health Regulations (2005) (IHR), which stipulates that the period of protection afforded by yellow fever vaccination, and the term of validity of the certificate will change from 10 years to the duration of the life of the person vaccinated.This change will enter into force legally in June 2016. Until then the current IHR text on yellow fever vaccination and certificates continues to apply, and some countries may continue to request proof of vaccination or a booster within the last 10 years from travellers.

When WHO and IHR (International Health Regulation) will add the new countries that will accept a single dose as lifelong protection, you will be notified

Polio

A new requirement in some countries : a certificate of vaccination against polio for travelers from countries where there is endemic transmission of polio.

All countries were again verified and updated according to their latest recommendations.

CDC has received multiple reports of malaria among US travelers returning from the Dominican Republic. With the exception of Santiago and Santo Domingo cities, the Dominican Republic continues to be a country with malaria transmission. Transmission also occurs in resort areas including popular areas of tourism such as Punta Cana and Puerto Plata.

Travelers to Dominican Republic are reminded to take malaria prevention measures. CDC recommends antimalarial medication for travelers going to the Dominican Republic, outside of Santiago and Santo Domingo cities.

There are many effective preventive antimalarial options for travel to these areas including: atovaquone-proguanil (Malarone), chloroquine (or hydroxychloroquine), doxycycline, or mefloquine.

Malaria and other diseases including dengue and chikungunya are spread by mosquito bites, therefore measures to prevent mosquito bites should be taken regardless of area of travel in the Dominican Republic.

These measures include using insect repellent when outdoors, staying in an air-conditioned or well-screened area, and sleeping under an insecticide treated bed net during the peak biting period for mosquitoes (dusk and dawn).

Saturday, July 11, 2015

Large carnivores are often portrayed as dangerous to humans. Large beasts. Ferocious predators, like bears, wolves, and large cats. The inspiration of animated hunting stories and science fiction movies.

But the most dangerous animals are the little critters. Years ago I conducted research as wildlife research biologist for the federal government. I once became sick and spent weeks in the hospital. My symptoms were similar to those of a number of other diseases, and diagnosis initially stumped the doctor. I had been in the woods daily and had been targeted by lots of ticks. Extensive tests determined that I had contacted tularemia, called rabbit fever. Once the correct diagnosis was determined, antibiotic took care of the bacteria. Other than tularemia, ticks also carry other nasty stuff, such as Lyme disease, Colorado tick fever, and Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and others. Several of these have similar symptoms. Symptoms can include a red circular swelling around the tick bite, fever, general malaise, achy joints, and swollen lymph nodes.

Some precautions can help outdoorsmen diminish the chances of tick born diseases. Treating clothing with a high powered pesticide before going afield can help. As well as spraying boots and lower pants with a repellant. Ticks inhabit grassy areas, shrubs, and down logs. Minimize contact with tick habitat. Wear high white socks and pull them up outside your pants. You can see the parasites heading for a warm blood meal.

It takes some time for ticks to transmit diseases. So getting them off quick is paramount. Be sure to check yourself as soon as you're out of the woods. Usually there is a tingling sensation at a tick bite. Remove any located ticks. Shower as soon as you get home. If you develop any symptoms of tick born disease see a physician, and be sure to tell him/her you have been bitten by ticks.

Mosquitoes are a major of vector of diseases worldwide. They can transmit malaria, dengue, yellow fever, several varieties of encephalitis, as well as harbor West Nile virus. This is not just theoretical; several people in this vicinity have contacted the virus with serious effects. The virus can have little effects, or it can be lethal to humans.

Mosquitos are most active dawn and dusk. They inhabit moist, vegetated habitat, and don't take wind well. Spray up before going afield or fuel up your thermacell. Mosquitos lay their eggs in standing water so drain any around your house.

Some spiders, such as the black widow and brown recluse, can inflict painful bites and cause loss of flesh, sometimes with lasting effects. The male-consuming female black widow is shiny black with a bright red hour-glass pattern on her belly. I see them in shady protected places, such as wood piles, under culverts, dog houses, and water meter holes. The brown recluse has a fiddle pattern on its' back.

Plants can be noxious also. Most of you are familiar with poison ivy and the identifying jingle — leaflets of three let it be. It grows as a vine or erect stem on a wide variety of sites. It won't be so obvious in the winter on bucked up fire wood.

Friday, July 10, 2015

Ritwika Mitra NEW DELHI, July 04, 2015, DHNS

Now, those travelling to Africa and South America can now submit their applications for yellow fever vaccination online on the NDMC website. The online initiative will be launched on July 8.

Currently, travellers have to visit the New Delhi Municipal Council Headquarters to submit copies of applications for yellow fever vaccination. Following this, the council allots them an available slot.

“Once travellers plan their trip, they can submit their application online. There will be no need to come to the office physically. The earliest vaccination slot will be shown online while the person is submitting the application. This new process will allow residents from any part of the country to apply for yellow fever vaccination through the NDMC website. There will be 50 vaccination slots available weekly,” said a senior NDMC official.

Travellers can get vaccinated at the International Inoculation Centre on Mandir Marg in the council jurisdiction. The user will be provided with the application number and designated slot once the enrolment is complete.

Applicants can get vaccinated from 2 pm to 4 pm every Wednesday and Friday. Around 5,000 people come to the NDMC centre for vaccination annually. Travellers can also submit their applications to the Municipal Corporation of Delhi. However, the MCD has no plan yet to go online for applications of vaccination.

“There is no procedure in place to invite applications online. Applicants can get vaccinated at the centre located in Civil Lines,” said a senior official of the South Delhi Municipal Corporation.

Though yellow fever is not prevalent in India, it can lead to an epidemic in case the virus is transmitted through humans from the affected countries to India. Yellow fever is a hemorrhagic disease which affects both monkeys and humans.

This is caused by a virus and transmitted to humans through bites of infected mosquitoes. So it is mandatory for Indians travelling to tropical and sub-tropical places in Africa and South America to be vaccinated.

Friday, July 3, 2015

Officials from South Sudan's Ministry of Health are selling yellow fever cards at Juba International Airport without having given vaccination, sources told Radio Tamazuj.

International regulations require proof of yellow fever vaccination for travel to and from certain countries. People who get vaccinated should be given an International Certificate of Vaccination.

South Sudanese nationals traveling abroad via Juba Internationals Airport have to pay up to 200 SSP to obtain a yellow fever card without getting vaccinated. “They charged me 200 SSP in order to obtain yellow cards without even being vaccinated,” one traveler complained.

South Sudanese who travel to Ethiopia, Kenya and Sudan are required to obtain yellow fever vaccination at least 10 days before their flight, but officials in the health ministry are some National Security personnel are allegedly selling these cards at the airport, according to sources in Juba.

The cards are reportedly scarce at the State Ministry of Health in Centeral Equatoria, which was responsible for issuing the cards at a cost of up to 64 SSP.

“I went to Ministry of Health to get vaccinated against yellow fever and get the card but I was told that they got finished but was referred to some person at Juba International airport where I got only the card and paid 150 SSP,” said another traveler.

About Me

I am a pediatrician based at Mohali, a suburb of chandigarh, North India. I have my own virtual office at www.charakclinics.com; I have been a pediatrician since 1994. I hope to make ths blog a regular feature with tonnes of relevant info for parents, especially in India, because i feel that "informed parents are better parents". My interests include research in OPD practice, specifically new vaccines and travel medicine. I am a member of American Academy of Pediatrics, Indian Academy of Pediatrics, and various travel organizations like International Society for Travel Medicine (ISTM), American Society of Tropical Medicine & Hygiene (ASTMH), International Association for Medical Assistance to Travelers (IAMAT), and British & Global Travel Health Association (BGTHA)